The Sciences
5 Top Chemistry Stories of 2014
New ways to see inside cells, art conservation, and the origin of life are some of the most interesting chemistry stories of the year.
Stories by Josh Fischman
Environment
How Congress Snuck Changes to U.S. Environmental Policy into the New Budget Bill
The $1-trillion bill keeps agencies from acting on clean air and water and energy
The Sciences
Chemists Pick New Leader for World’s Largest Science Society
Former DuPont executive wants to improve consumer information and science education
The Sciences
Billionaire's New Science Institute Plans "Google Maps" View of Cells
Big visions for cell biology prompted Paul Allen to launch the Allen Institute for Cell Science, and new director Rick Horwitz explains its new way of seeing cells
Dog Physics: How Your Pet Solves Its Drinking Problem [VIDEO]
Dogs are sloppy drinkers for a good reason: They splash water up because they cannot suck like people.
The Sciences
Electron Beam Points to Origins of Teotihuacan Stone Faces
New microscope analysis of artifacts from the ancient city also can find fakes in museums
Technology
Watch the Record-Setting Flight of "Atlas," the Human-Powered Helicopter
"Atlas" soars to win flight competition, propelled by four giant rotors and an athletic designer pedaling a bicycle
The Sciences
Can You Escape Zombies If You Smell Like Death?
A chemist explains why a "death cologne" could protect you if the ravenous undead attack this Halloween.
Biotech
Movies Made Inside a Living Cell
A new microscope can show chromosomes moving within a cell or tiny changes in a growing embryo.
Environment
Hawaii Faces More Dangerous Tsunami Risk
An ocean debris pile, much further inland than expected, testifies to past giant waves from the north.
The Sciences
Let's Get Small: A Panel on Nanoscience
Scientific American senior editor Josh Fischman joins nanoscience researchers Shana Kelly, Yamuna Krishnan, Benjamin Bratton, along with moderator Bridget Kendall from the BBC World Service program The Forum
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The Sciences
Ability To See Single Molecules Gets Chemistry Nobel
Stefan W. Hell, Eric Betzig, and William Moerner share the prize for developing new ways to see inside a cell.
The Sciences
Best View Ever of Hidden Seafloor Revealed in New Images [Slide Show]
Scientists use satellites to produce astoundingly detailed pictures of unmapped terrain
The Sciences
Best View Ever of Hidden Seafloor Revealed in New Images [Slide Show]
Scientists use satellites to produce astoundingly detailed pictures of unmapped terrain
Mechanical Forces Affect Cell Development and Disease [Video]
Genes alone do not control a cell's fate. Physical forces pulling on that cell can determine how a cell becomes a complex organ.
Did Climate Shocks Shape Human Evolution? [Video]
In a video, noted scientists debate the connections between ancient climate changes and the emergence of modern human traits.
Scientific American Editor Testifies at U.S. Senate [Video]
At a hearing on the future of federal research investment, a science magazine editor and three noted scientists asked the U.S. Senate to support basic research
The Sciences
The Male Sex Chromosome Isn’t Shrinking
It may be small, but the Y chromosome is here to stay
The Sciences
3 Ingredients Make Good July 4th Fireworks [Video]
How different types of chemicals combine for a holiday blast.
The Sciences
Don't Go in the Water: The Chemistry of Pee in the Pool [Video]
Pee in a swimming pool could start an unpleasant chemical reaction with chlorine
